Today’s Focus: Guard a short vowel when you add a vowel suffix.
CVC Doubling Rule: If a base word ends with C‑V‑C, double the final consonant before adding a vowel suffix (-ing, -ed, -er, -est, -y). Doubling keeps the vowel short (hopping vs. hoping).
Examples
- run → running
- sit → sitter
- stop → stopped
- big → biggest
When NOT to double
- Suffix starts with a consonant: sad + ness
- Two vowels: read + ing
- Ends with two consonants: jump + ing
- Ends in w/x/y: snow + ing